Union Workers Discuss Workplace Issues, Solutions at Conference to Strengthen IP Mill and Converter Locals
Local union representatives from IP mills and converters from coast-to-coast met in Pittsburgh Aug. 4 to discuss progress, as well as problems in negotiations and other dealing with management. Union members got a crash course in the current economic situation facing the American paper industry. And USW members strengthen ties to allies such as the three-million member Workers Uniting labor union in the United Kingdom.
Led by Intl. Vice President Jon Geenen and Assistant to the President Leeann Anderson, IP union leaders talked about the value of the Framework Agreement worked out between union and management that has stabilized conditions of employment for workers even when the industry is going through an unstable period. Geenen noted that due to the efforts of IP members in gaining this Framework Agreement, this is the first economic downturn in which management has not gone after wages and benefits of hourly workers. USW President Leo Gerard spoke about the proven advantage of union solidarity in paper shops from coast to coast.
Key issues discussed at the conference included successfully holding back health care premium increases due to the master bargaining; critical Retiree Medical Savings Plan information, organizing efforts at non-union plants such as in Mansfield, La.; workplace hazard mapping as outlined by Edinburg, Texas Local 314; option for retiree medical coverage; bargaining support between locals; mobilization and visibility, and; strengthening our communications network. Representatives from the former Weyerhaeuser local unions held a special meeting at the conference to discuss issues having to do with their integration into the IP system.
Based on discussions and debate at the conference meeting, as well as recommendations from regional meetings, the group set the following top priorities:
• Continuing conference-wide phone calls with more detailed agendas sent out beforehand.
• Continuing monthly newsletter and improved shop floor distribution.
• Preparing for and develop guidelines for the next master agreement.
• Identifying problems, such as Sedgwick’s interpretation of our health care benefits and the company’s varying interpretations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which need to be confronted on a system wide basis.
Union members from IP plants across the country met in Pittsburgh to discuss issues of importance back home, compare notes and strengthen bonds between plant workers at different mills and converters.
For more information about the IP Union Conference – seeking to strengthen, unite and advance the interests of union workers at International Paper – check out the conference web site: www.SolidarityatIP.org
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
IP Union Conference News July 2009
IP Union Conference meeting shaping up
Early numbers indicate that our upcoming meeting of IP local unions in Pittsburgh August 4-5 will be well attended. Aug. 4th is the day for our IP council meeting and the 5th will be a plenary meeting of other attending paper industry councils. We will move our Workers Uniting agenda forward where we have a joint presence in the paper sector with our United Kingdom counterpart, UNITE. July 20 is the deadline for hotel reservations. For more information on arrangements for your local union, contact Dolly at the USW at 412-562-2382.
SUCCESS: Union workers at IP help nail down “black liquor’ tax credit
USW represented workers from IP and other paper plants have successfully lobbied for continuation of the tax credits to the paper industry for alternative byproduct energy known as ‘black liquor.’ Carroll Story from Franklin, VA, one of the rank-and-file union members who successfully lobbied for the bill, said, “It was a chance for the congressmen to hear from workers from the plants. We educated them about how this wasn’t just a corporate giveaway, but a way to keep fellow workers on the job during downturns. It was a very strong effort by our union, and we were successful.” Other IP workers lobbying for the bill in Washington, D.C., included: Ingrid Wallace, Pensacola, Fla., Joe Whalen, Ticonderoga, N.Y., Kevin Dorn, Pineville, La., Nick Brewbaker, Pineville, La., Jimmy Melton, ¬¬Vicksburg, Miss., and Leroy Hendrix, Vicksburg, Miss.
Labor Taking the Offense on the Political Front
Organized workers and our allies across the country are reacting to the changing political winds in Washington, D.C., and making a ‘full court press’ to change labor laws that have been weakened by corporate interests through the decades since they were enacted.
The name of the proposed law we want Congress to pass is the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). President Obama pledged to sign it if it passes through Congress. As expected, many employers are desperately fighting it. Passage of this law would help non-union workers get organized with us, earn similar amounts and eliminate any artificial competitive disadvantages.
For more information about the IP Union Conference – seeking to strengthen, unite and advance the interests of union workers at International Paper – check out the conference web site: http://www.solidarityatip.org/
Early numbers indicate that our upcoming meeting of IP local unions in Pittsburgh August 4-5 will be well attended. Aug. 4th is the day for our IP council meeting and the 5th will be a plenary meeting of other attending paper industry councils. We will move our Workers Uniting agenda forward where we have a joint presence in the paper sector with our United Kingdom counterpart, UNITE. July 20 is the deadline for hotel reservations. For more information on arrangements for your local union, contact Dolly at the USW at 412-562-2382.
SUCCESS: Union workers at IP help nail down “black liquor’ tax credit
USW represented workers from IP and other paper plants have successfully lobbied for continuation of the tax credits to the paper industry for alternative byproduct energy known as ‘black liquor.’ Carroll Story from Franklin, VA, one of the rank-and-file union members who successfully lobbied for the bill, said, “It was a chance for the congressmen to hear from workers from the plants. We educated them about how this wasn’t just a corporate giveaway, but a way to keep fellow workers on the job during downturns. It was a very strong effort by our union, and we were successful.” Other IP workers lobbying for the bill in Washington, D.C., included: Ingrid Wallace, Pensacola, Fla., Joe Whalen, Ticonderoga, N.Y., Kevin Dorn, Pineville, La., Nick Brewbaker, Pineville, La., Jimmy Melton, ¬¬Vicksburg, Miss., and Leroy Hendrix, Vicksburg, Miss.
Labor Taking the Offense on the Political Front
Organized workers and our allies across the country are reacting to the changing political winds in Washington, D.C., and making a ‘full court press’ to change labor laws that have been weakened by corporate interests through the decades since they were enacted.
The name of the proposed law we want Congress to pass is the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). President Obama pledged to sign it if it passes through Congress. As expected, many employers are desperately fighting it. Passage of this law would help non-union workers get organized with us, earn similar amounts and eliminate any artificial competitive disadvantages.
Strength Through
Unity at IP!
Unity at IP!
For more information about the IP Union Conference – seeking to strengthen, unite and advance the interests of union workers at International Paper – check out the conference web site: http://www.solidarityatip.org/
Monday, March 23, 2009
IP Union News March 2009
Next IP Union Conference Call Scheduled
A date has been set for the next national conference call to discuss the latest from International Paper plants, as well as the paper industry as a whole. The date for this second national call is Thursday, April 23, 2009 4:00 PM (Eastern). Details about getting on this call have been sent to local union officers by mail and email. As in the previous call, locals can submit question or comments on topics of importance to union members. Based on concerns voiced by members, we want to report that these calls are not to replace conference meetings, but in the time between meetings to enhance communications between locals and leadership.
More feedback from the Jan. 22 call
Local union leaders were surveyed after the last conference call, and here are a few of the points raised:
• Many feel the call went well, but want to refine the Question & Answer section.
• There was some confusion about the forms for submitting questions, and suggestions for improvements.
• Members wanted more information before calls so that they can be more prepared.
• Some wanted a list of the questions that were to be addressed sent to them as well as an agenda.
• The minutes were welcome as follow up; some said copies of the minutes were given to other officers.
• Some wanted the council contact list so that they could continue discussions after the calls.
‘Weingarten Rights’
A WORKER’S RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION
There is no time like the present to educate ourselves on where we stand as workers at this large company. USW members should be aware of an important legal safeguard that union-represented workers have that non-union workers do not.
The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc.) These are known as the Weingarten rights. Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews, when a supervisor questions an employee to get information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.
If a union worker has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, they have the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employee’s responsibility to know and request.
When an employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options: (1) stop questioning until the representative arrives, (2) call off the interview or, (3) tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless they voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option employees should refuse.)
Management often tries to say that the only role a union representative has in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly says a representative can assist and counsel workers during the interview.
The Supreme Court also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.
While the interview is in progress the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.
Right now, employees who work in a non-union workplace are not entitled to have a coworker accompany them to an interview with their employer, even if theythinks that the interview might result in discipline.
Our Weingarten rights are one more important reason why it pays to be a union member!
A date has been set for the next national conference call to discuss the latest from International Paper plants, as well as the paper industry as a whole. The date for this second national call is Thursday, April 23, 2009 4:00 PM (Eastern). Details about getting on this call have been sent to local union officers by mail and email. As in the previous call, locals can submit question or comments on topics of importance to union members. Based on concerns voiced by members, we want to report that these calls are not to replace conference meetings, but in the time between meetings to enhance communications between locals and leadership.
More feedback from the Jan. 22 call
Local union leaders were surveyed after the last conference call, and here are a few of the points raised:
• Many feel the call went well, but want to refine the Question & Answer section.
• There was some confusion about the forms for submitting questions, and suggestions for improvements.
• Members wanted more information before calls so that they can be more prepared.
• Some wanted a list of the questions that were to be addressed sent to them as well as an agenda.
• The minutes were welcome as follow up; some said copies of the minutes were given to other officers.
• Some wanted the council contact list so that they could continue discussions after the calls.
‘Weingarten Rights’
A WORKER’S RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION
There is no time like the present to educate ourselves on where we stand as workers at this large company. USW members should be aware of an important legal safeguard that union-represented workers have that non-union workers do not.
The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc.) These are known as the Weingarten rights. Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews, when a supervisor questions an employee to get information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.
If a union worker has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, they have the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employee’s responsibility to know and request.
When an employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options: (1) stop questioning until the representative arrives, (2) call off the interview or, (3) tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless they voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option employees should refuse.)
Management often tries to say that the only role a union representative has in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly says a representative can assist and counsel workers during the interview.
The Supreme Court also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.
While the interview is in progress the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.
Right now, employees who work in a non-union workplace are not entitled to have a coworker accompany them to an interview with their employer, even if theythinks that the interview might result in discipline.
Our Weingarten rights are one more important reason why it pays to be a union member!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
IP Union News February 2009
IP Locals, USW Leaders Hold National Conference Call, Discuss Key Issues at IP Facilities
On Thursday January 22, local union leaders from dozens of IP mills and converters joined USW Vice President Jon Geenen, District 9 Director Stan Johnson, Assistant to the President Leeann Anderson and Strategic Campaigns staff on a national conference call, utilizing the latest technology to improve union communications.
Johnson started the call by talking about the impact of these difficult economic times, difficulties experienced by union members in paper and other industries and the importance of using improved communications tools to increase union effectiveness. He said, “What’s happening in paper is a microcosm of what’s happening in the bigger economy,” but that within current economic and political events “lies opportunity for us to change the direction our nation has taken over the last decade.”
Geenen gave details about the emerging crises, reporting that though IP’s stock is down, the company is in a good cash situation right now. He discussed the specter of bankruptcies at Smurfit-Stone, Abitibi/Bowater and elsewhere, and how the union’s strategy is to preserve and protect jobs. The good news is that IP and GP mill and converter agreements have provided union workers with the best contract protection ever in the face of this downturn. Geenen said, “Collective bargaining with IP became the benchmark for new practices to collective bargaining.” For example, a Temple Inland company-wide agreement is up for consideration now. These Master Agreements minimize the chances for a race to the bottom in the industry.
USW staff reviewed the Building Power program underway at IP local unions since the June 2007 National Paper Bargaining Conference in Pittsburgh, the mill Master Agreement that was reached and the members’ demands for a national deal for converters. Also discussed were the three phases in the timeline created by the IP Working Group and adopted by the conference
membership, stressing education, mobilization & visibility, bargaining support, communications and conference wide activity. Communications Action Teams (CATs) are being created local by local, and conference newsletters are being circulated. Locals with pictures or stories for the newsletter should send them to the Strategic Campaigns Dept. (hscott@usw.org) or get them to staff reps who can send them to us.
Locals brought up problems with healthcare insurance and ways members have been denied benefits due to enrolment issues. A member going in for open heart surgery was told by management he must call off from work every day. Another member off work due to a heart attack was told he did not qualify for S&A benefits. Members who have problems like this are encouraged to contact Deb Edwards (dedwards@usw.org) at the Nashville office so she can create a database of complaints in order to address every one of them.
There is some confusion regarding the maintenance salaries in the Master Agreement. Geenen and Johnson urged locals with these problems to send them specifics so they can address them with the company. Converter locals said some members need a better explanation of when the Master Agreement’s $33 and $34 for pensions kicks in. Johnson said an email message will
go to locals explaining it.
Locals also urged that IP workers not forget about the laid off people as it relates for signing up for excessive amounts of overtime. Johnson said union workers should not allow themselves to be overworked to the point of endangering themselves and others. Leeann Anderson said the USW has been working to create a website for laid off members particular for each state. Information will be available through http://www.makeourfuturework.org/.
Locals from Savannah reported that the plant went down for a shutdown and inspection. They found 700 bad welds in the boiler. The company kept getting extensions on the inspection. This is a serious safety issue. Geenen said if the company is trying to get extensions on inspections, send information about it to him immediately. Other issues discussed include availability
of TARP money, retiree medical savings, the IP CEO’s big bonus and stock values. Plans are underway for more conference-wide calls to discuss these and other important issues in the future.
On Thursday January 22, local union leaders from dozens of IP mills and converters joined USW Vice President Jon Geenen, District 9 Director Stan Johnson, Assistant to the President Leeann Anderson and Strategic Campaigns staff on a national conference call, utilizing the latest technology to improve union communications.
Johnson started the call by talking about the impact of these difficult economic times, difficulties experienced by union members in paper and other industries and the importance of using improved communications tools to increase union effectiveness. He said, “What’s happening in paper is a microcosm of what’s happening in the bigger economy,” but that within current economic and political events “lies opportunity for us to change the direction our nation has taken over the last decade.”
Geenen gave details about the emerging crises, reporting that though IP’s stock is down, the company is in a good cash situation right now. He discussed the specter of bankruptcies at Smurfit-Stone, Abitibi/Bowater and elsewhere, and how the union’s strategy is to preserve and protect jobs. The good news is that IP and GP mill and converter agreements have provided union workers with the best contract protection ever in the face of this downturn. Geenen said, “Collective bargaining with IP became the benchmark for new practices to collective bargaining.” For example, a Temple Inland company-wide agreement is up for consideration now. These Master Agreements minimize the chances for a race to the bottom in the industry.
USW staff reviewed the Building Power program underway at IP local unions since the June 2007 National Paper Bargaining Conference in Pittsburgh, the mill Master Agreement that was reached and the members’ demands for a national deal for converters. Also discussed were the three phases in the timeline created by the IP Working Group and adopted by the conference
membership, stressing education, mobilization & visibility, bargaining support, communications and conference wide activity. Communications Action Teams (CATs) are being created local by local, and conference newsletters are being circulated. Locals with pictures or stories for the newsletter should send them to the Strategic Campaigns Dept. (hscott@usw.org) or get them to staff reps who can send them to us.
Locals brought up problems with healthcare insurance and ways members have been denied benefits due to enrolment issues. A member going in for open heart surgery was told by management he must call off from work every day. Another member off work due to a heart attack was told he did not qualify for S&A benefits. Members who have problems like this are encouraged to contact Deb Edwards (dedwards@usw.org) at the Nashville office so she can create a database of complaints in order to address every one of them.
There is some confusion regarding the maintenance salaries in the Master Agreement. Geenen and Johnson urged locals with these problems to send them specifics so they can address them with the company. Converter locals said some members need a better explanation of when the Master Agreement’s $33 and $34 for pensions kicks in. Johnson said an email message will
go to locals explaining it.
Locals also urged that IP workers not forget about the laid off people as it relates for signing up for excessive amounts of overtime. Johnson said union workers should not allow themselves to be overworked to the point of endangering themselves and others. Leeann Anderson said the USW has been working to create a website for laid off members particular for each state. Information will be available through http://www.makeourfuturework.org/.
Locals from Savannah reported that the plant went down for a shutdown and inspection. They found 700 bad welds in the boiler. The company kept getting extensions on the inspection. This is a serious safety issue. Geenen said if the company is trying to get extensions on inspections, send information about it to him immediately. Other issues discussed include availability
of TARP money, retiree medical savings, the IP CEO’s big bonus and stock values. Plans are underway for more conference-wide calls to discuss these and other important issues in the future.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
IP Union News--January 2009
IP Conference using new technology to build unity
USW-represented workers at International Paper mills and converters around the country are strengthening their ability to communicate with each other quickly and effectively, using everything from the newest technologies to good old fashion word-of-mouth. Local IP union leaders were pleased with the results of a recent test of a new “blast text message” system to be used if we all need to learn about and/or act upon issues of importance. In addition, International Vice President Jon Geenen and IP Bargaining Conference Chair Stan Johnson are organizing in late January a “National Conference Call for the Bargaining Conference @ IP” as another possible way to keep members of each local union informed and involved. And many local unions are strengthening their in-shop communications network to put in the hands of each union member newsletters, handbills and other printed material at the job site. Conference members and leaders are committed to using whatever vehicle that works to build a stronger Union Conference @ IP!
Arden Hills IP workers glad for contract extension
At IP’s Arden Hills, Minnesota converter plant, formerly a Weyerhaeuser facility until purchased by IP in August of 2008, a Local 264 Negotiating Team member wrote the following letter:
I want to send a special thanks to the USW and the IP Union Conference leadership for bargaining and drafting the one year contract extension framework agreement for former Weyerhaeuser locations with our new owner International Paper. The extension our membership ratified by an 80% margin maintained all current language and overtime premiums, secured our current Health and Welfare Plans, gave us a 2% general wage increase and added $1.00 to our defined benefit pension multiplier. Our membership understood the economic conditions in the fall of 2008 was not the best time to be entering into collective bargaining with a company we are not use to dealing with, knowing, or having dealt with in the past. This one year extension gives members of our local, the IP conference and the USW a full year to prepare for and to know what to expect from IP as we enter into full collective bargaining in the fall or 2009. Again thank you USW.
In Solidarity
Dave Saeger
#264 Negotiations Committee
Union workers in better shape to deal with economic downturns
As the news about current economic problems continues to come in, it’s important to remember that working people who are protected by a union contract are in a much more secure position than those who don’t have a union to back them up. Union-represented workers have earned legal bargaining rights with management, preventing unilateral changes in agreed-upon wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. Union workers have a legal, binding contract for their labor. Non-union workers have no such guarantees, even to have a voice in process. The only thing non-union workers can hope to “hang their hat on” in tough economic times is favoritism and kissing up to the boss in order to get ahead.
USW-represented workers at International Paper mills and converters around the country are strengthening their ability to communicate with each other quickly and effectively, using everything from the newest technologies to good old fashion word-of-mouth. Local IP union leaders were pleased with the results of a recent test of a new “blast text message” system to be used if we all need to learn about and/or act upon issues of importance. In addition, International Vice President Jon Geenen and IP Bargaining Conference Chair Stan Johnson are organizing in late January a “National Conference Call for the Bargaining Conference @ IP” as another possible way to keep members of each local union informed and involved. And many local unions are strengthening their in-shop communications network to put in the hands of each union member newsletters, handbills and other printed material at the job site. Conference members and leaders are committed to using whatever vehicle that works to build a stronger Union Conference @ IP!
Arden Hills IP workers glad for contract extension
At IP’s Arden Hills, Minnesota converter plant, formerly a Weyerhaeuser facility until purchased by IP in August of 2008, a Local 264 Negotiating Team member wrote the following letter:
I want to send a special thanks to the USW and the IP Union Conference leadership for bargaining and drafting the one year contract extension framework agreement for former Weyerhaeuser locations with our new owner International Paper. The extension our membership ratified by an 80% margin maintained all current language and overtime premiums, secured our current Health and Welfare Plans, gave us a 2% general wage increase and added $1.00 to our defined benefit pension multiplier. Our membership understood the economic conditions in the fall of 2008 was not the best time to be entering into collective bargaining with a company we are not use to dealing with, knowing, or having dealt with in the past. This one year extension gives members of our local, the IP conference and the USW a full year to prepare for and to know what to expect from IP as we enter into full collective bargaining in the fall or 2009. Again thank you USW.
In Solidarity
Dave Saeger
#264 Negotiations Committee
Union workers in better shape to deal with economic downturns
As the news about current economic problems continues to come in, it’s important to remember that working people who are protected by a union contract are in a much more secure position than those who don’t have a union to back them up. Union-represented workers have earned legal bargaining rights with management, preventing unilateral changes in agreed-upon wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. Union workers have a legal, binding contract for their labor. Non-union workers have no such guarantees, even to have a voice in process. The only thing non-union workers can hope to “hang their hat on” in tough economic times is favoritism and kissing up to the boss in order to get ahead.
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